A Sinn Féin representative has hit out at the government over its "inadequate" response to climate action.

The party's spokesperson for Climate Action, David Cullinane TD spoke out following the publication of a report by the Climate Change Advisory Council.

Deputy Cullinane said: "The report by the Climate Change Advisory Council shows two things: the government's response to climate change is inadequate and that a just and fair transition is still not part of the establishment's agenda.

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"In order to reduce car usage, we must invest in public transport. 

“We need to bring more of our towns into the network, while increasing capacity in our cities.

"We have to look at ways to help households retrofit their homes.

"We have to invest in alternative energy sources, including wind, solar, and biomass. 

"We have to ensure that the transition is fair and just and that the burden does not fall on the shoulders of ordinary families who are unable to change behaviour as the alternatives are simply not in place."

Mr Cullinane also criticised the government's response to the Mercosur beef deal as "hypocrisy", calling it a "90s throwback in a 21st century world".

He added: "The government must grasp the nettle of investment in public transport and renewable energy and to stop chasing the low hanging fruit of more taxes without putting in place pathways to change.

"These are the real lessons from this report; ones that Sinn Féin will heed in government."

(CM/MH)